Should Reference Designs Be Free?

If using a reference design involves your purchasing that vendor's components, should there be a cost involved with the reference design? Is it more appropriate for the design to be provided for free?

I just heard from the folks at Maxim, who are touting a new reference design called the Alameda -- a flexible, high-accuracy 4-channel bipolar analog output that is targeted at industrial automation applications.

Now, I fully understand the advantages of using a reference design, especially ones like the Alameda. It includes fully tested schematics, layout files, and firmware that are available for immediate use and/or customization. In addition to reducing risk and speeding design, this particular design is claimed to use integrated parts that reduce number of components by 33% compared to competitive designs.

I also understand that creating such a design involves the expenditure of time and money. One could certainly argue that such a design is a valuable commodity and that its creators deserve recompense.

On the other hand, I think this point of view could be better argued by someone who had created the reference design as a standalone activity. However, the fact is that actually implementing this reference design involves using a bunch of Maxim's parts as illustrated below:

As we see, this design boasts a MAX17498B flyback controller, a MAX1659 LDO, a MAX6216 voltage reference, a MAX5154 quad DAC, four MAX15500 signal conditioners, and a MAX14850 data isolation device. The way I've always understood the reference design concept is as an unspoken agreement along the lines of, "We show you how to do it, and then you do it using our components."

The bottom line was that I was a bit surprised to learn that there was a cost involved with regard to the Alameda reference design. I was even more surprised to be told: "Pricing is available on request." I bounced around the Maxim website to discover that the price of this reference design is $95 and the availability is "TBD."** (Following the ** leads us to a note saying "Please submit a quote to obtain lead-time for this part.")

I'm not sure what to think. First of all, I donít like being tempted with a reference design and then being told that I have to submit a quote to learn what the lead-time is going to be.

Hang on a moment. I think I understand. The Alameda isnít just schematics, layout files, and firmware -- it also includes a circuit board containing a physical implementation of the design, thereby allowing you actually to test the design in your main industrial control system. Well, that certainly makes more sense, and it also explains the price associated with this reference design and associated sub-system.

OK, so if there is a hardware portion of the reference design, then I can understand there being a cost involved. But what about a non-hardware reference design -- should this also come with a cost involved or -- if using the design involves your purchasing that vendor's components -- is it more appropriate for the reference design to be provided for free?

But what about a non-hardware reference design -- should this also come with a cost involved or -- if using the design involves your purchasing that vendor's components -- is it more appropriate for the reference design to be provided for free?

But they are available for free. Scroll down to the bottom of the Alameda page and you will find "Hardware files" for free download. You don't even have to register.

I realize that now. And, in fact, my question "should non-hardware reference designs be available for free" was not targeted at the Maxim folks.

The thing was that when I first saw their announcement, it wasn't obvious that there was a hardware component -- they just waffled on about schematics and layout files and then said "call to see howe much it is"

It was only when I really got into it that I realized that hardware was involved and that indeed the schematics could be downloaded for free -- but by then my mind was thinking about reference designs in general, so my question was more general in nature along the lines of "should any reference design from any vendor that does not have associated hardware be mnade available for free" -- my bad that I didn;t word this better.

Free reference designs are important because smaller clients are becoming bigger portion of revenue stream for bigger companies with each year. And most of them will be manufacturing products for themselves, rather tham OEMing.

I have usually found the opposite to be true. In particular, I've found Linear Technology has excellent reference designs and demo boards. Remember, the quicker a vendor can get a part working in a customer's design, the quicker orders for those parts start rolling in. It's to a vendor's advantage to make designing with the part as easy and reliable as possible.

I don't think "NEVER" is a fair comment, I have had a number of issues with various circuits from different manufacturers, but I have also had very good ones. Also condsider some integrators actually buy a bunch of OEM modules and stitch them together for an actual final product, so I'm inclined to disagree with you on a few fronts.

Me too -- I was building up to a very righteous indignation (and I'd almost finished the column) when I discovered the reference designs themselves were free -- it was the hardware that cost -- so I was left foaming at the mouth with nothing to foam at LOL

I totally agree!! About 5 years ago I was involved in the design of an embedded Linux system and the deadline was in danger. I used Linear Technology components in the board power system design, despite the fact that some providers had offered me cheaper alternatives.

What was the point about doing this? My Linear's FAE sent me some specific linear reference design and associated dev kits and I just copied the main layout features. Zero-risk design and fast time-to-market worth the little BOM cost increase!!